Weekly Legislative Update - March 14, 2025

Floor News

One-House Budget Resolution

Despite unanimous Republican opposition, the Assembly Majority adopted its $256.5 billion One-House Budget Resolution (E.183) on 3/13 (vote: 100-47). The Senate also adopted its $258.9 billion One-House Budget Resolution (R.488) on 3/13.

Ballot Drop-Box Locations

The Assembly and Senate passed a bill (A.1014) that enacts a chapter amendment to Chapter 500 of the Laws of 2024, which authorized boards of elections to establish absentee ballot drop-off locations. This chapter amendment allows early mail ballots to be returned by being deposited in a ballot drop box and provides that the failure of a board of elections to time stamp early mail ballots received in this manner on or before election day does not prohibit the ballots from being canvassed (vote: 94-50).

Inspection Station Notice

The Assembly passed a bill (A.593), which mandates that official inspection stations must prominently display the following notice: "THIS INSPECTION STATION IS NOT AUTHORIZED TO INSPECT ALTERED MOTOR VEHICLES (STRETCH LIMOUSINES) UNLESS THE REGISTRANT PRESENTS A STATE DOT EXEMPTION LETTER. OTHERWISE SUCH VEHICLES SHALL REPORT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION." (vote: 99-46).

Mandatory Arbitration Clauses

The Assembly passed a bill (A.2539), which requires that any business contract for goods or services containing a mandatory arbitration clause must be provided to the consumer with the arbitration clause displayed in a print type of at least a 16-point font. Makes a first violation punishable by a civil penalty of up to $250 and subsequent violations punishable by a civil penalty of up to $500 (vote: 99-46).

Cannabis Showcase Event Permits

The Assembly and Senate passed a bill (A.418) that enacts a chapter amendment to Chapter 669 of the Laws of 2024, which authorizes the issuance of cannabis showcase event permits. This chapter amendment permits stand-alone cannabis "pop-up" events to showcase adult-use cannabis and related products. Defines "showcase" as the display of cannabis, branded merchandise, and educational materials by authorized licensees. Requires licensed retailers to partner with at least one licensed New York cultivator and one licensed New York processor in order to apply for an event permit. Provides that only licensed retailers can apply, and each licensee at the event must have their own permit (vote:96-53).

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in New Buildings

The Assembly and Senate passed a bill (A.4200) that enacts a chapter amendment to Chapter 643 of the Laws of 2024, which mandates that new construction that includes dedicated off‑street parking areas must have electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and electric vehicle‑ready parking spaces. This chapter amendment repeals the specific charging station standard established in Chapter 643 and instead requires new buildings with off-street parking to include EV-ready infrastructure and EV charging stations in compliance with minimum standards established by the State Fire Prevention and Building Code Council (vote: 88-57).

Committee News

Governmental Operations

Despite unanimous Republican opposition, the Governmental Operations Committee reported a bill ( A.1410 ), which requires entities that have submitted records containing trade secrets and/or critical infrastructure information to reapply for an exemption from

Freedom of Information Law disclosure every three years and specifically identify which portions of such records are to be exempted. This bill was reported to Codes and subsequently to Ways and Means.

Energy

Despite unanimous Republican opposition, the Energy Committee reported a bill (A.349)

establishing the Previously Owned Zero-Emission Vehicles Rebate Program within the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) in order to provide rebates of up to $2,000 to individual, commercial, and institutional applicants for the purchase or lease of an eligible used or “previously owned” zero-emission vehicle. This bill was reported to Ways and Means.

The Energy Committee reported a bill (A.541), which establishes the Microgrid Development

Program to mandate that the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority allocate $75 million and the Long Island Power Authority allocate $25 million toward the Program to help community outage assets, such as hospitals and large retail stores, keep their lights on. This bill encourages the expeditious permitting of microgrids and asserts a preference for microgrids that "displace or otherwise reduce the operation of diesel back-up generators”. This bill was reported to Ways and Means.

Codes

Despite unanimous Republican opposition, the Codes Committee reported the following bills:

A.544-A: Requires a police officer who responds to a report of a family offense to take temporary custody of any firearm, rifle, electronic dart gun, electronic stun gun, disguised gun, imitation weapon, shotgun, antique firearm, black powder rifle, black powder shotgun, or muzzle-loading firearm that is in plain sight or is discovered pursuant to a consensual or lawful search when the officer reasonably believes it is necessary to remove such weapon to protect the victim or other persons present, or to prevent risk of further violence or threat. Also requires the officer to take custody of any license issued to the person suspected of such family offense. Increases, from not less than 48 hours to not less than 120 hours, the minimum amount of time that law enforcement must hold onto such weapons/license before returning them to their lawful owner. This bill was reported to the Floor.

A.3359: Expands the class E felony crime of Computer Tampering in the Third Degree to include persons who commit the crime of Computer Tampering in the Fourth Degree who intentionally enter or alter in any manner or destroy computer material indicating that a person did or did not receive a vaccination that is reported to the New York State Immunization Information System or the New York Citywide Immunization Registry.This bill was reported to the Floor.

Week In Focus

On 3/12, Leader Barclay, along with Assembly and Senate Republicans, joined “Border Czar” Tom Homan at a press conference to promote two pieces of legislation that would restore cooperation between local and State agencies and federal immigration authorities and enhance security measures at the northern border (A.1528, Gray) & (A. 2262, Gandolfo). To view CLICK HERE

On 3/11, Assemblyman Keith Brown and Members of the Assembly Republican Conference joined a bipartisan press conference calling for greater enforcement and detection of drugged driving in New York State (A.3981).